Chiefs vs Rams may not happen in Mexico
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:56 pm
Chiefs, Rams players considering not playing due to messy field in Mexico City
As grounds crews appear to be laying new sod on the field at Estadio Azteca on Tuesday, a number of Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams players are strongly considering not playing in next Monday's game in Mexico City and instead want it moved to Los Angeles, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"It's not fair to risk our health," a prominent player told Schefter on Tuesday.
Rams safety John Johnson saw the current field conditions on social media and tweeted his reaction.
Significant discussions are underway about whether the game will be played in Mexico City, moved to Los Angeles or postponed, sources told Schefter, and that a decision is expected by the NFL in the coming days.
The issue is that soccer games and concerts have left the field inside Estadio Azteca a mess. Both teams have their own people evaluating the field, sources told Schefter, and the NFLPA is concerned and has been monitoring it closely.
Sources told Schefter that some players are skeptical the playing surface can be repaired enough in the next six days, and that they want the game moved to Los Angeles and played this week.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Monday night said the league is "working closely" with stadium personnel "to ensure that we have an NFL-quality surface" for the game.
One source still expects the game will be played in Mexico City, according to Schefter, but another source said he thinks moving the game to Los Angeles is still an option.